Donovan - Top Farm Systems

[craviduce]

I've said before - it it's the Mets, I want Nolan McLean.

Wouldn't McLean, and Benge for that matter, be off limits with the Mets? McLean figures into their immediate rotation plans, yes? Unless I missed an injury?

Tong is MLB ready, too...but I figured they would part with him before McLean. Tong fits our current prospect pitching philosophy... "Power Arm".

Put me down for McLean, too...Benge for that matter, but I don't see it happening...unless of course teams get super motivated to hand us the bank account #'s just to land Donovan. That would be great.

Benge would fit perfectly into our....errrr, Benge would be the 1st piece into rectifying our current, putrid OF state.

I don't know that the Mets vision is for their rotation. But if I'm talking to them about Donovan, I'm asking for McLean. And I'm willing to throw in more (Romero, Crooks/Pages, Walker - not necessarily all, but some of them) to make it happen.

I understand where you're coming from.... McLean and Tong are both MLB ready, I just figured the higher regarded McLean would be off limits...anything can happen. GM's get hyper motivated sometimes. Pray the Mets GM gets said motivation this week. I would love McLean...but I would probably love Tong, too... it's epic Slider vs. epic Changeup between the two... pick your poison. RHP is a major need in our Farm...so, I'd consider either a major win.

The Mets aren't known for being completely rational either. They could trade a SP and just plan to go out and buy Valdez if they wanted.

there's a lot of truth to that.

It's an unique situation we find ourselves in.... Seattle and Detroit don't give up prospects...historically speak....The Mets and Red Sox can't get rid of theirs fast enough. The Dodgers can't small trades that no one remembers to stock their system each winter.... Lux to Reds last year.

Like I said, "unique"...I really don't know how this will play out...I pray we're not underwhelmed.

If they get one Top 25 prospect (like McLean) or maybe two Top 100 prospects plus a third "lottery ticket" with upside, that will probably be OK.

you think we can get 60-65 FV player for Donovan straight up? Interesting. I've never considered it during this whole process. I've always assumed players like that were off limits. But like you mentioned, the Mets and their propensity....stranger things, right?

I've always been of the mind and more than comfortable with your option B...2 50-55 FV's with a lottery ticket, IFA bonus pool, or Competitive Balance Pick.

[mattmitchl44]

I've said before - it it's the Mets, I want Nolan McLean.

Wouldn't McLean, and Benge for that matter, be off limits with the Mets? McLean figures into their immediate rotation plans, yes? Unless I missed an injury?

Tong is MLB ready, too...but I figured they would part with him before McLean. Tong fits our current prospect pitching philosophy... "Power Arm".

Put me down for McLean, too...Benge for that matter, but I don't see it happening...unless of course teams get super motivated to hand us the bank account #'s just to land Donovan. That would be great.

Benge would fit perfectly into our....errrr, Benge would be the 1st piece into rectifying our current, putrid OF state.

I don't know that the Mets vision is for their rotation. But if I'm talking to them about Donovan, I'm asking for McLean. And I'm willing to throw in more (Romero, Crooks/Pages, Walker - not necessarily all, but some of them) to make it happen.

I understand where you're coming from.... McLean and Tong are both MLB ready, I just figured the higher regarded McLean would be off limits...anything can happen. GM's get hyper motivated sometimes. Pray the Mets GM gets said motivation this week. I would love McLean...but I would probably love Tong, too... it's epic Slider vs. epic Changeup between the two... pick your poison. RHP is a major need in our Farm...so, I'd consider either a major win.

The Mets aren't known for being completely rational either. They could trade a SP and just plan to go out and buy Valdez if they wanted.

there's a lot of truth to that.

It's an unique situation we find ourselves in.... Seattle and Detroit don't give up prospects...historically speak....The Mets and Red Sox can't get rid of theirs fast enough. The Dodgers can't small trades that no one remembers to stock their system each winter.... Lux to Reds last year.

Like I said, "unique"...I really don't know how this will play out...I pray we're not underwhelmed.

If they get one Top 25 prospect (like McLean) or maybe two Top 100 prospects plus a third "lottery ticket" with upside, that will probably be OK.

you think we can get 60-65 FV player for Donovan straight up? Interesting. I've never considered it during this whole process. I've always assumed players like that were off limits. But like you mentioned, the Mets and their propensity....stranger things, right?

I've always been of the mind and more than comfortable with your option B...2 50-55 FV's with a lottery ticket, IFA bonus pool, or Competitive Balance Pick.

Depends on who you read I suppose. FG has Top 25 prospects like McLean at FV 55 and their Top 100 encompasses FV 50 prospects. MLB.com seems to consistently be about 5 FV higher at each of those levels.

BTV has McLean at +41 and Donovan at +32, so with some minor adds that seems plausible.

[kyace]

Mariners got their lh reliever in a trade with Nats so JO Jo is now a No No.

[Bushiro]

Mariners got their lh reliever in a trade with Nats so JO Jo is now a No No.

Yeah and Seattle gave up the number 42 prospect in mlb top 100 and Seattle's 4th overall.....that's steep

[craviduce]

Mariners got their lh reliever in a trade with Nats so JO Jo is now a No No.

Yeah and Seattle gave up the number 42 prospect in mlb top 100 and Seattle's 4th overall.....that's steep

that's an overpay, but by how much? I guess that's to be determined on the amount of overpay? I guess Seattle likes Stevenson a lot...enough to make him the backup in waiting to Raleigh....Stevenson was in my Top 10 mocks heading into 2025 Collegiate season....fell a bit...He took some unfair criticism about his hit tool last year.

[craviduce]

I've said before - it it's the Mets, I want Nolan McLean.

Wouldn't McLean, and Benge for that matter, be off limits with the Mets? McLean figures into their immediate rotation plans, yes? Unless I missed an injury?

Tong is MLB ready, too...but I figured they would part with him before McLean. Tong fits our current prospect pitching philosophy... "Power Arm".

Put me down for McLean, too...Benge for that matter, but I don't see it happening...unless of course teams get super motivated to hand us the bank account #'s just to land Donovan. That would be great.

Benge would fit perfectly into our....errrr, Benge would be the 1st piece into rectifying our current, putrid OF state.

I don't know that the Mets vision is for their rotation. But if I'm talking to them about Donovan, I'm asking for McLean. And I'm willing to throw in more (Romero, Crooks/Pages, Walker - not necessarily all, but some of them) to make it happen.

I understand where you're coming from.... McLean and Tong are both MLB ready, I just figured the higher regarded McLean would be off limits...anything can happen. GM's get hyper motivated sometimes. Pray the Mets GM gets said motivation this week. I would love McLean...but I would probably love Tong, too... it's epic Slider vs. epic Changeup between the two... pick your poison. RHP is a major need in our Farm...so, I'd consider either a major win.

The Mets aren't known for being completely rational either. They could trade a SP and just plan to go out and buy Valdez if they wanted.

there's a lot of truth to that.

It's an unique situation we find ourselves in.... Seattle and Detroit don't give up prospects...historically speak....The Mets and Red Sox can't get rid of theirs fast enough. The Dodgers can't small trades that no one remembers to stock their system each winter.... Lux to Reds last year.

Like I said, "unique"...I really don't know how this will play out...I pray we're not underwhelmed.

If they get one Top 25 prospect (like McLean) or maybe two Top 100 prospects plus a third "lottery ticket" with upside, that will probably be OK.

you think we can get 60-65 FV player for Donovan straight up? Interesting. I've never considered it during this whole process. I've always assumed players like that were off limits. But like you mentioned, the Mets and their propensity....stranger things, right?

I've always been of the mind and more than comfortable with your option B...2 50-55 FV's with a lottery ticket, IFA bonus pool, or Competitive Balance Pick.

Depends on who you read I suppose. FG has Top 25 prospects like McLean at FV 55 and their Top 100 encompasses FV 50 prospects. MLB.com seems to consistently be about 5 FV higher at each of those levels.

BTV has McLean at +41 and Donovan at +32, so with some minor adds that seems plausible.

I know the trade can happen on paper easily enough....my point is teams letting go of their Top/Top/Top prospects, they become rather stingy on their Top prospects. The Cards have declared JJ and Doyle off limits....29 other teams do the same thing each season. A few exceptions are out there....Padres, Mets, Cubs (recently). I sure hope a team like Seattle are willing to part with an Emerson or Anderson... I doubt the Tigers will let one of their Triad go...all 3 are knocking on AAA/MLB door

[C-Unit]

I've said before - it it's the Mets, I want Nolan McLean.

Wouldn't McLean, and Benge for that matter, be off limits with the Mets? McLean figures into their immediate rotation plans, yes? Unless I missed an injury?

Tong is MLB ready, too...but I figured they would part with him before McLean. Tong fits our current prospect pitching philosophy... "Power Arm".

Put me down for McLean, too...Benge for that matter, but I don't see it happening...unless of course teams get super motivated to hand us the bank account #'s just to land Donovan. That would be great.

Benge would fit perfectly into our....errrr, Benge would be the 1st piece into rectifying our current, putrid OF state.

I don't know that the Mets vision is for their rotation. But if I'm talking to them about Donovan, I'm asking for McLean. And I'm willing to throw in more (Romero, Crooks/Pages, Walker - not necessarily all, but some of them) to make it happen.

I understand where you're coming from.... McLean and Tong are both MLB ready, I just figured the higher regarded McLean would be off limits...anything can happen. GM's get hyper motivated sometimes. Pray the Mets GM gets said motivation this week. I would love McLean...but I would probably love Tong, too... it's epic Slider vs. epic Changeup between the two... pick your poison. RHP is a major need in our Farm...so, I'd consider either a major win.

The Mets aren't known for being completely rational either. They could trade a SP and just plan to go out and buy Valdez if they wanted.

there's a lot of truth to that.

It's an unique situation we find ourselves in.... Seattle and Detroit don't give up prospects...historically speak....The Mets and Red Sox can't get rid of theirs fast enough. The Dodgers can't small trades that no one remembers to stock their system each winter.... Lux to Reds last year.

Like I said, "unique"...I really don't know how this will play out...I pray we're not underwhelmed.

If they get one Top 25 prospect (like McLean) or maybe two Top 100 prospects plus a third "lottery ticket" with upside, that will probably be OK.

you think we can get 60-65 FV player for Donovan straight up? Interesting. I've never considered it during this whole process. I've always assumed players like that were off limits. But like you mentioned, the Mets and their propensity....stranger things, right?

I've always been of the mind and more than comfortable with your option B...2 50-55 FV's with a lottery ticket, IFA bonus pool, or Competitive Balance Pick.

Depends on who you read I suppose. FG has Top 25 prospects like McLean at FV 55 and their Top 100 encompasses FV 50 prospects. MLB.com seems to consistently be about 5 FV higher at each of those levels.

BTV has McLean at +41 and Donovan at +32, so with some minor adds that seems plausible.

I know the trade can happen on paper easily enough....my point is teams letting go of their Top/Top/Top prospects, they become rather stingy on their Top prospects. The Cards have declared JJ and Doyle off limits....29 other teams do the same thing each season. A few exceptions are out there....Padres, Mets, Cubs (recently). I sure hope a team like Seattle are willing to part with an Emerson or Anderson... I doubt the Tigers will let one of their Triad go...all 3 are knocking on AAA/MLB door

I was looking at Bryce Rainer for Detroit, off the top 100 but he is just a 2025 draft pick with a bright future. If we had a guy like that in our system we would probably be calling him off limits too. Your overall point is correct that these teams don't always want to just give up these guys so easy, and all you have to do is put the shoe on the other foot to imagine why. I guess thats where it becomes important to understand the #10-20 guys in each system, not just the top 10. That's where you can find these fast risers or maybe hidden gems. The 45+ category.

I don't have BTV, but to me it looks like if we're going off the values FG places on different FVs (45= ~8M, 50= ~25M, 55= ~45M), then a single 50 FV prospect would be about the correct return for Donovan. To get a 55 FV prospect would be slightly disproportionate with his value. I'm assuming Donovan's BTV is somewhere around 25-30.

I feel like it's going to be a 50 FV + a 45(+), or a package of 45+'s. Maybe a 50 and a pair of 45+'s to dream on would be good. And it all depends on how many of these teams we can survey legitimate returns from. If it ends up being only 2 teams that can make a legitimate offer (and that's all that's interested), then it's going to be hard to get them to choke up those top prospects that they view important to their team. Would there be more teams in the fold if you held Donovan til the deadline??? Tough Tough.

It'll be interesting to see what we're left with after all of this. Will we get back the high ceiling pitchers mattmitch wants (return trade value condensed into single high ceiling talents), or will we get ourselves a big composition of 45+ types. Will it be indiscriminate between pitchers/position players, in a way to simply get the most raw upside value into our system regardless of what the player is. That may be the best route to go as it could bode well for the organization as a whole over the next 1-2 years. However, it would really move the competitive window further out. It will be interesting to see what happens.

Edit = I just caught where mattmitch quoted Donovan's BTV of 32. That figures.

[ICCFIM2]

I've said before - it it's the Mets, I want Nolan McLean.

Wouldn't McLean, and Benge for that matter, be off limits with the Mets? McLean figures into their immediate rotation plans, yes? Unless I missed an injury?

Tong is MLB ready, too...but I figured they would part with him before McLean. Tong fits our current prospect pitching philosophy... "Power Arm".

Put me down for McLean, too...Benge for that matter, but I don't see it happening...unless of course teams get super motivated to hand us the bank account #'s just to land Donovan. That would be great.

Benge would fit perfectly into our....errrr, Benge would be the 1st piece into rectifying our current, putrid OF state.

I don't know that the Mets vision is for their rotation. But if I'm talking to them about Donovan, I'm asking for McLean. And I'm willing to throw in more (Romero, Crooks/Pages, Walker - not necessarily all, but some of them) to make it happen.

I understand where you're coming from.... McLean and Tong are both MLB ready, I just figured the higher regarded McLean would be off limits...anything can happen. GM's get hyper motivated sometimes. Pray the Mets GM gets said motivation this week. I would love McLean...but I would probably love Tong, too... it's epic Slider vs. epic Changeup between the two... pick your poison. RHP is a major need in our Farm...so, I'd consider either a major win.

The Mets aren't known for being completely rational either. They could trade a SP and just plan to go out and buy Valdez if they wanted.

there's a lot of truth to that.

It's an unique situation we find ourselves in.... Seattle and Detroit don't give up prospects...historically speak....The Mets and Red Sox can't get rid of theirs fast enough. The Dodgers can't small trades that no one remembers to stock their system each winter.... Lux to Reds last year.

Like I said, "unique"...I really don't know how this will play out...I pray we're not underwhelmed.

If they get one Top 25 prospect (like McLean) or maybe two Top 100 prospects plus a third "lottery ticket" with upside, that will probably be OK.

you think we can get 60-65 FV player for Donovan straight up? Interesting. I've never considered it during this whole process. I've always assumed players like that were off limits. But like you mentioned, the Mets and their propensity....stranger things, right?

I've always been of the mind and more than comfortable with your option B...2 50-55 FV's with a lottery ticket, IFA bonus pool, or Competitive Balance Pick.

Depends on who you read I suppose. FG has Top 25 prospects like McLean at FV 55 and their Top 100 encompasses FV 50 prospects. MLB.com seems to consistently be about 5 FV higher at each of those levels.

BTV has McLean at +41 and Donovan at +32, so with some minor adds that seems plausible.

The Cardinals traded $10.6M of value in the Gray trade for $23.7M of value coming back from the Red Sox or $13.1M of excess value. In the deal the Mariners made today, they gave up $20.9M of prospect value for $12.6M of MLB value or a $8.3M value difference. It seems that contenders are willing to overpay by $8-$12M in prospect value for the piece they think they need. That suggests that Donovan can get $40M of prospect value back. That could either be their top guy or 2 guys in the 55 range. I spent a bit of time looking at the BTV range for 55 prospects. It is a wide range from $10M - $25M. Therefore, those types of trades are going to be very dependent on the team's involved proprietary valuations and analytics.

I mentioned in a separate thread, the only the Cards can really compete with the high revenue teams is to make these trades where they are getting excess trade value back and hope they hit on enough of the prospects obtained to actually win the trade. I am guessing Contreras could also allow the Cards to obtain excess prospect value back, in particular if the Cards are willing to pay some salary.

[ICCFIM2]

I read previously Seattle is interested in Donovan and today I read they are pursuing Jo Jo I wonder what kind of package the two of them could get from them

I was in the thread too it sounds very nice. I guess my point is at the beginning of the offseason it sounded like there would be a dozen teams coming to the table for Donovan. But are there only two systems in actuality that are interested and can also put together a package we want?

Tbere are plenty of teams the Cards can trade with. It is just that the Mariners and Dodgers are so deep, they have half a dozen players each that are of interest to the Cards they can afford to part with and still contend year-after-year. Other teams, you might want their top prospect who they may or may not want to part with. There are teams like the Giants that have several 50 grade level prospects that have BTV of around $8M. Lets say you take 4 of their top 8 prospects for Donovan. First, they may not want to do that, even though the BTV's work out. Second, they have 2 OFs that are probably the same level of Josh Baez, they could be great, they may wash out. If you get both of them, plus Whisenhunt plus another guy, is that a good trade for the Cards? Have no idea. It could be the steal of the century or worse than the Ozuna trade.

[C-Unit]

I read previously Seattle is interested in Donovan and today I read they are pursuing Jo Jo I wonder what kind of package the two of them could get from them

I was in the thread too it sounds very nice. I guess my point is at the beginning of the offseason it sounded like there would be a dozen teams coming to the table for Donovan. But are there only two systems in actuality that are interested and can also put together a package we want?

Tbere are plenty of teams the Cards can trade with. It is just that the Mariners and Dodgers are so deep, they have half a dozen players each that are of interest to the Cards they can afford to part with and still contend year-after-year. Other teams, you might want their top prospect who they may or may not want to part with. There are teams like the Giants that have several 50 grade level prospects that have BTV of around $8M. Lets say you take 4 of their top 8 prospects for Donovan. First, they may not want to do that, even though the BTV's work out. Second, they have 2 OFs that are probably the same level of Josh Baez, they could be great, they may wash out. If you get both of them, plus Whisenhunt plus another guy, is that a good trade for the Cards? Have no idea. It could be the steal of the century or worse than the Ozuna trade.

Good post yes it would definitely be risky dealing with one of the teams that are not as deep as Seattle or LA. It's interesting because once you get down to it, there's only so many of these high end prospects out there.

It does seem to be a sellers market as you lay out. Hopefully Donovan will bring in an excess, its important to really cash in on this trade.

In Donovan's case, I wonder how it'll affect us if Ketel Marte is really on the block as well.

When it comes time to deal Contreras, he's going to have a lot of interest as well. I could see the Mets jumping on that if they lose Alonso, off the top of my head.

[renostl]

Mariners got their lh reliever in a trade with Nats so JO Jo is now a No No.

They used Ford
We might have a catcher somewhere

[renostl]

I've said before - it it's the Mets, I want Nolan McLean.

Wouldn't McLean, and Benge for that matter, be off limits with the Mets? McLean figures into their immediate rotation plans, yes? Unless I missed an injury?

Tong is MLB ready, too...but I figured they would part with him before McLean. Tong fits our current prospect pitching philosophy... "Power Arm".

Put me down for McLean, too...Benge for that matter, but I don't see it happening...unless of course teams get super motivated to hand us the bank account #'s just to land Donovan. That would be great.

Benge would fit perfectly into our....errrr, Benge would be the 1st piece into rectifying our current, putrid OF state.

I don't know that the Mets vision is for their rotation. But if I'm talking to them about Donovan, I'm asking for McLean. And I'm willing to throw in more (Romero, Crooks/Pages, Walker - not necessarily all, but some of them) to make it happen.

I understand where you're coming from.... McLean and Tong are both MLB ready, I just figured the higher regarded McLean would be off limits...anything can happen. GM's get hyper motivated sometimes. Pray the Mets GM gets said motivation this week. I would love McLean...but I would probably love Tong, too... it's epic Slider vs. epic Changeup between the two... pick your poison. RHP is a major need in our Farm...so, I'd consider either a major win.

The Mets aren't known for being completely rational either. They could trade a SP and just plan to go out and buy Valdez if they wanted.

there's a lot of truth to that.

It's an unique situation we find ourselves in.... Seattle and Detroit don't give up prospects...historically speak....The Mets and Red Sox can't get rid of theirs fast enough. The Dodgers can't small trades that no one remembers to stock their system each winter.... Lux to Reds last year.

Like I said, "unique"...I really don't know how this will play out...I pray we're not underwhelmed.

If they get one Top 25 prospect (like McLean) or maybe two Top 100 prospects plus a third "lottery ticket" with upside, that will probably be OK.

you think we can get 60-65 FV player for Donovan straight up? Interesting. I've never considered it during this whole process. I've always assumed players like that were off limits. But like you mentioned, the Mets and their propensity....stranger things, right?

I've always been of the mind and more than comfortable with your option B...2 50-55 FV's with a lottery ticket, IFA bonus pool, or Competitive Balance Pick.

I feel very negative when calling BD a very good player that is limited.
Pitching is a premium. Its why Sonny brings back a good return. I don’t see that with Donovan when a team can pivot to a Lowe and keep their pitcher.

Tong, Sloan in the other thread are more rational and are still on the high end. The Cards may need to add to get them. Those pitchers not being counted on now make it a more possible target with the higher ceiling
IMO.

[renostl]

I read previously Seattle is interested in Donovan and today I read they are pursuing Jo Jo I wonder what kind of package the two of them could get from them

I was in the thread too it sounds very nice. I guess my point is at the beginning of the offseason it sounded like there would be a dozen teams coming to the table for Donovan. But are there only two systems in actuality that are interested and can also put together a package we want?

Tbere are plenty of teams the Cards can trade with. It is just that the Mariners and Dodgers are so deep, they have half a dozen players each that are of interest to the Cards they can afford to part with and still contend year-after-year. Other teams, you might want their top prospect who they may or may not want to part with. There are teams like the Giants that have several 50 grade level prospects that have BTV of around $8M. Lets say you take 4 of their top 8 prospects for Donovan. First, they may not want to do that, even though the BTV's work out. Second, they have 2 OFs that are probably the same level of Josh Baez, they could be great, they may wash out. If you get both of them, plus Whisenhunt plus another guy, is that a good trade for the Cards? Have no idea. It could be the steal of the century or worse than the Ozuna trade.

Good post yes it would definitely be risky dealing with one of the teams that are not as deep as Seattle or LA. It's interesting because once you get down to it, there's only so many of these high end prospects out there.

It does seem to be a sellers market as you lay out. Hopefully Donovan will bring in an excess, its important to really cash in on this trade.

In Donovan's case, I wonder how it'll affect us if Ketel Marte is really on the block as well.

When it comes time to deal Contreras, he's going to have a lot of interest as well. I could see the Mets jumping on that if they lose Alonso, off the top of my head.

Seattle will have a difficult time giving up what it takes to get Ketel IMO. My guess is AZ would want Now production in return. Teams wanting to contend in 2026 have different desires and Ketel would go to such a team with his contract if dealt .

[Carp4Cy]

Let's go with the idea that Seattle and LA present the best farm systems for a return on a Donovan package. Who else?

There's been several potential suitors named. But not all of them have farm systems that could challenge what the first two have.

Houston does not have a top 100 prospect. The Yankees really do not have a very good system. Kansas City doesn't have any pitching prospects higher than a 40 FV. So where else do you turn?

Seems to me it would be good if some of the following teams enter the picture:
- Mets (6 top 100 prospects, 3 SP prospects 50 FV or better)
- Tigers (they wouldn't trade Bryce Rainer but that's a dream of an idea)
- Boston (back to that well?)
- SF Giants?

Seattle is in about as good of a position as you can be as an organization. From where they sit, they really don't need to trade anyone. They can let that system take its time and produce the players it has for themselves. We might be dreaming thinking they would trade Sloan. It all sounds good but may not realistically be on the table. So where else would you turn to try and field the best package you can?

Houston doesn’t have to send us a current minor leaguer. They have Cam Smith. Prospects don’t become ineligible to trade after they make their debut

[Talkin' Baseball]

I wouldn't mind breaking up the future Offensive Triad in Detroit....McGonigle, Clark, Briceno....Briceno might be the only one we could yank from Detroit. Package up someone of consequence with Donovan...it could snag a Clark or McGonigle....one can dream

I've been on the Briceno train for over six months now. I felt like the Tigers were a great fit for Donovan before Torres took the QO. He might still be a good fit. We'll see.

[C-Unit]

I read previously Seattle is interested in Donovan and today I read they are pursuing Jo Jo I wonder what kind of package the two of them could get from them

I was in the thread too it sounds very nice. I guess my point is at the beginning of the offseason it sounded like there would be a dozen teams coming to the table for Donovan. But are there only two systems in actuality that are interested and can also put together a package we want?

Tbere are plenty of teams the Cards can trade with. It is just that the Mariners and Dodgers are so deep, they have half a dozen players each that are of interest to the Cards they can afford to part with and still contend year-after-year. Other teams, you might want their top prospect who they may or may not want to part with. There are teams like the Giants that have several 50 grade level prospects that have BTV of around $8M. Lets say you take 4 of their top 8 prospects for Donovan. First, they may not want to do that, even though the BTV's work out. Second, they have 2 OFs that are probably the same level of Josh Baez, they could be great, they may wash out. If you get both of them, plus Whisenhunt plus another guy, is that a good trade for the Cards? Have no idea. It could be the steal of the century or worse than the Ozuna trade.

Good post yes it would definitely be risky dealing with one of the teams that are not as deep as Seattle or LA. It's interesting because once you get down to it, there's only so many of these high end prospects out there.

It does seem to be a sellers market as you lay out. Hopefully Donovan will bring in an excess, its important to really cash in on this trade.

In Donovan's case, I wonder how it'll affect us if Ketel Marte is really on the block as well.

When it comes time to deal Contreras, he's going to have a lot of interest as well. I could see the Mets jumping on that if they lose Alonso, off the top of my head.

Seattle will have a difficult time giving up what it takes to get Ketel IMO. My guess is AZ would want Now production in return. Teams wanting to contend in 2026 have different desires and Ketel would go to such a team with his contract if dealt .

Maybe the Yankees will be the best fit for Marte. They would probably be willing to give up Spencer Jones + for him.